Monday, March 24 || PREACH THE GOSPEL, WHEREVER ..., WHATEVER ...

Read : Acts 18: 1-10

“Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent, for I am with you. ...”

- Acts 18: 9,10

Today's text explains the situation of Paul in the city of Corinth. He came there from Athens, went to be with Aquila and Priscilla, and worked along with them to earn his living - as a tentmaker. He was a man full of the Spirit. He could not keep silent. He kept talking about Christ. Firstly, he met the Jews and also the Greeks every Sabbath day and tried to make them understand the gospel. He allowed them to ask questions and answered them. Secondly, he went one step further. He just did not stop with reasoning, but went on to persuade them, rather repeatedly confronted them till they came to accept Christ. Thirdly, he testified that Jesus is Christ. In other words, he witnessed for Christ, exactly as Acts 1:8 tells. It was not an easy task. For the verse 9 and 10 suggest that he was afraid when he faced oppression. The Lord had to encourage him saying, "DO NOT BE AFRAID," assuring him of His presence in all situations. And the 18th verse says, "Paul stayed on in Corinth for some more time."

Dear friends, we are also encouraged today to proclaim the good news by reasoning, by persuasion and by witnessing. The Lord has already filled us with His Spirit, and He is with us and within us. He is always there to lead us, to protect us and to use us. Are we willing to testify that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ? Are we willing to 'stay put' even when we are amidst opposition and carry on the mission for 'some more time'? Let us ask God to help us every single day to speak and not to keep silent till our mission is completed.